Helichrysum sutherlandii flowering in the Drakensberg

The much-branched inflorescences of Helichrysum sutherlandii are nearly flat-topped, borne on long stalks well above the foliage. They comprise small bell-shaped flowerheads appearing from end summer to midwinter. The outer involucral bracts are brown, the inner ones white, all of them woolly. The six rows of bracts grade to the inner row that exceeds the florets.

The everlastings or straw flowers belong to the sunflower or Asteraceae family. These plants range from annuals and herbs to shrubs. They occur in Africa, Australasia and Europe, thus probably one of the older genera?

Everlastings are widely grown as ornamental plants. Many butterfly species use them as food during the larva phase.